Objective:
Analysis of the genetic diversity existing in the world germplasm will allow for the selection of a core collection of wild and cultivated germplasm from around the world. This will allow researchers to focus their efforts on a smaller population to more efficiently manage limited resources and achieve maximum return on investments.

Approach:
Currently, there are 2,408 Saccharum accessions listed in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database representing 21 different species. Leaf samples will be collected, and DNA will be extracted from all these accessions using a FastPrep tissue homogenizer and a mini CTAB procedure. The accessions will be genotyped using microsatellite and ribosomal DNA markers. A set of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers has already been identified at the LSU AgCenter in the Lead PD’s lab from the ongoing research with commercial varieties and Louisiana parental clones. Analysis of the marker data will be used to estimate genetic (dis)similarity among the clones currently present in the collection. In addition, duplicates in the existing germplasm will be identified. A sugarcane core collection will be identified based on this analysis.